Carolina’s Williams and Hansbrough honored

St. Louis, MO (Sports Network) – North Carolina head coach Roy Williams was
selected as the national coach of the year by the United States Basketball
Writers Association and Tar Heels big man Tyler Hansbrough was named the top
freshman in the country.

Williams was honored by the USBWA for the second time in his career, first
being selected while with Kansas in 1990. He became the first coach to win the
award with two different programs.

The Tar Heels were the national champions in 2005, but started this season
unranked after losing their top seven scorers from the title team. Williams
guided the club to a second-place finish in the difficult Atlantic Coast
Conference and the Heels finished the year at 23-8 after a surprising loss to
George Mason in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Hansbrough was a major factor in the team’s success. The 6-foot-9, 235-pounder
from Poplar Bluff, Missouri averaged 18.9 points and 7.8 rebounds to become
the first freshman to lead North Carolina in both categories.

Williams will be presented with his award at a March 31 breakfast before the
Final Four in Indianapolis. The USBWA will also announce its choice as player
of the year that morning.